Replace vs. resplice anchor rope?

trflgrl

trflgrl

Active Member
Jun 23, 2014
982
Middle Tennessee
Boat Info
1989 Sundancer 300
Engines
Twin 350 Merc/Alpha 1 Gen 1; Quicksilver 4.0 gen
Windlass w/rope/chain. Rope is beginning to fray where it's attached to the chain, but the rest of the rope is in good to great shape. My thought is to cut off the rope that's been in the water most often, then splice from the newly cut end. However, I know nothing about splicing myself and don't know how common that skill might be. Friends are suggesting I just replace everything, but that sounds more expensive.

Thoughts?
 
Part of my answer will depend on how you use your boat and when you anchor, how long is it for? If you anchor often and where there's a current or strong winds that could push you away if the anchor rode parted, I'd say replace it. My thinking there is....why risk having a serious accident because the anchor rode let go in the middle of the night and you got blown onto some rocks?

If you don't anchor often or only anchor during the day or where there's no current or wind, I'd splice it. But, that being said, I wouldn't trust it overnight.

I'd rather err on the side of caution. A couple hundred bucks worth of new line is probably not going to exceed the cost of your peace of mind.
 
If it is in good shape otherwise cut off the frayed section and reverse it end to end. Assuming the rope is 3-strand the chain splice is pretty simple and there is a good guide on the New England Ropes website.
 
If you boat in Tennessee I would do as Rick said and have the unused end spliced and trim off any really bad before re-securing in the locker.

West marine will also do the splice for you.

MM
 
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Flip it end for end and re-splice. The chain splice is almost identical to an eye splice, if you or someone else knows the eye splice, that is. It's something I learned from my grandfather years and years ago (decades, actually) and I consider it relaxing and almost therapeutic. I bet if you started asking around the marina you'll find others that are versed in how to splice. Or, get yourself some cheap rope and a short length of chain and start practicing in your living room until you feel comfortable enough to do it. With the instructions next to you, I bet it won't take long.
 
I would re-splice as most are saying.
If you do choose to replace it though, you could probably cut it up and make a whole new set of dock lines with it. :smt001
 
Gofirstclass said:
Part of my answer will depend on how you use your boat and when you anchor, how long is it for? If you anchor often and where there's a current or strong winds that could push you away if the anchor rode parted, I'd say replace it. My thinking there is....why risk having a serious accident because the anchor rode let go in the middle of the night and you got blown onto some rocks?

If you don't anchor often or only anchor during the day or where there's no current or wind, I'd splice it. But, that being said, I wouldn't trust it overnight.

I'd rather err on the side of caution. A couple hundred bucks worth of new line is probably not going to exceed the cost of your peace of mind.
Click to expand...
This is where I was unsure of what replacement entails--rope and chain, already spliced?

Most often we're in a lake cove, not heavy current, rafted up with other boats and not relying solely on our own anchor; typically the bigger boats in the middle take most of the load, and the rest of us throw anchors here and there to help keep us facing one direction. We stay put for extended periods--sometimes all day, sometimes Fri eve through Sun afternoon. Occasionally we go for a solo overnighter and have experienced some windy/choppy conditions.
 
trflgrl said:
Windlass w/rope/chain. Rope is beginning to fray where it's attached to the chain, but the rest of the rope is in good to great shape. My thought is to cut off the rope that's been in the water most often, then splice from the newly cut end. However, I know nothing about splicing myself and don't know how common that skill might be. Friends are suggesting I just replace everything, but that sounds more expensive.

Thoughts?
Click to expand...

Splicing is really very easy, and a tapered splice is not that difficult. Look if nine year old girls can braid their hair you can do a tapered splice. The best source is New England Ropes. They have instructions on line.

For a beginner new rope is easiest to splice because it is the most pliable. You can make your existing rode pliable, but that involves a fair amount of work cleaning it and working out the tangles. Good three strand is pretty cheap, so I'd suggest getting the amount of line you need plus a second pice about ten feet long. Also get a short five-six links of the same chain as you use. This does not have to be exactly like what you have because you use the short pieces to practice on.

If it does not come out looking good, undo it and try again.

Henry


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
 
MonacoMike said:
If you boat in Tennessee I would do as Ricknsaid and have the unused end spliced and trim off any really bad to re-secure in the locker.

West marine will also do the splice for you.

MM
Click to expand...
Funny you mention that, because it crossed my mind to wonder if West Marine might have a service. Would I just take the rope and chain with me to the store?
 
trflgrl said:
Funny you mention that, because it crossed my mind to wonder if West Marine might have a service. Would I just take the rope and chain with me to the store?
Click to expand...

Yes, that's how it worked at my store. At another store they had a contractor nearby do it for us. Call your store and they will tell you how they do it.

MM
 
Multiple votes for replacing, multiple votes for DIY, multiple votes for West Marine. I'm liking these odds. Since the majority of the rope is in good condition, a resplice should get me through the rest of the season--we won't do a lot of overnight boating through the winter. Then I can look at replacing, but then I'd need only rope after all, right....now that I know a million options for splicing? :)

SOOOOOO glad I discovered this forum! I really appreciate that it's ok to ask very elementary questions and that so many give thoughtful answers with the why and how.

(Nobody picked up my "mechanic in middle TN" inquiry in the Mechanic referral thread....anybody in this thread happen to have connections?)
 
Reverse and resplice. As to who does it, that depends on you. YouTube has a handful of great how to videos on the subject.
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I missed the Middle Tennessee inquiry…………….Mid. Tenn can be a big area when a 30 ft boat needs to be repaired. What body of water is your boat on?
 
BigBoysToys said:
Reverse and resplice. As to who does it, that depends on you.
Click to expand...

I just did this, or I should say had it done.

I tried doing it myself, the first attempt didn't look so good and with the splice feeding through the lofrans 1000 windlass it had to a nice tapered, tight splice. I paid a guy who did a great job, my wife was happy I didn't splice the anchor line myself
 
fwebster said:
I missed the Middle Tennessee inquiry…………….Mid. Tenn can be a big area when a 30 ft boat needs to be repaired. What body of water is your boat on?
Click to expand...
Percy Priest, and we need dock calls. No trailer so we only pull it for really big jobs!
 
Henry Boyd said:
Splicing is really very easy, and a tapered splice is not that difficult. Look if nine year old girls can braid their hair you can do a tapered splice. The best source is New England Ropes. They have instructions on line.

For a beginner new rope is easiest to splice because it is the most pliable. You can make your existing rode pliable, but that involves a fair amount of work cleaning it and working out the tangles. Good three strand is pretty cheap, so I'd suggest getting the amount of line you need plus a second pice about ten feet long. Also get a short five-six links of the same chain as you use. This does not have to be exactly like what you have because you use the short pieces to practice on.

If it does not come out looking good, undo it and try again.

Henry


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
Click to expand...

Old thread....but I had to cut my rope last weekend. I had a diver retrieve my anchor and chain, so I need to splice the rope and chain.

Henry....you seem to speak from 1st hand knowledge....so I have a question. Some if the sites/videos say to reduce the 3 strands by 1/3 after 2 or 3 tucks....and then maybe reduce again after a few more tucks Other videos I have watced make no mention of reducing the strands. What is the purpose of reducing he strands? And is it necessary?
 
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